Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
October 26, 1973
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
Harris Starting New Again But Toros’ Outlook Better
TORONTO— It’s an all too familiar scene to Billy Harris. He’s been down the same road before. When he piloted the Ottawa Nationals in the World Hockey Association’s fledgling year he was engulfed with college players who lacked the experience to make a run at the championship in the first part of the season. Then the pieces began falling together. The Nats charged down the stretch like a runaway mailtrain, winning 11 of their final 12 regular season games. They made the playoffs but were eliminated by the eventual champion New England Whalers. “It was a great experience.” Harris recalled, “to watch those kids develop as they did, gaining experience while being beaten, but at the same time, not losing their composure. It was great.” Now it looks as though the former National Hockey Leaguer may…
Blair Keeps WHA Away With Long Term Contracts
TWIN CITIES— It wasn’t easy escaping the clutches of the raiding World Hockey Association last season. But to do it again in this second year makes the Minnesota North Stars and General Manager Wren Blair unique. The astute North Stars’ GM has enjoyed the distinction of having the only NHL club out of 16 not to yield a player to the rival WHA in two seasons. It’s a record that Blair is particularly proud of since it clearly indicates a situation in which all the Minnesota players were apparently content with their NHL. contracts. There was no need to bolt the club. Blair’s secret to success against the WHA stems from his renegotiating his players contracts to keep the North Stars content in their present environment. Blair was particularly incensed over a recent report…
Odrowski Heads Players As Billy Hicke Retires
LOS ANGELES— Defensive leader Gerry Odrowski of Sharks has taken over as president of the WHA Players Association. He replaced Billy Hicke of Edmonton, who has officially retired to run his businesses in Regina. Odrowski says coming to the WHA was the best move he’s made in hockey. “I finally found a home.” Meanwhile, Sharks are continuing to be the league’s fightingest team. They are also keeping their reputation as an excellent defensive club. The entire defensive unit that allowed just 250 goals, third best in the WHA. is back, led by Odrowski, Bart Crashley and Jim Niekamp. The latter was voted Sharks most valuable blucliner.…
Howe Returns Home To Standing Ovation In Detroit ‘Double’
DETROIT— Gordie Howe may be gone, wearing a strange blue and white uniform, but he’s still got Detroit in his hands. Howe made a triumphant return to the city where he starred for a quarter century, flanked by sons Marty and Mark, and drew sustained standing ovations when his Houston Aeros made a two night exhibition stand in the Motor City. Howe scored a goal and set up four more as the Aeros and Minnesota Saints tied. 3-3, and then Houston defeated the Red Wing alumni-sprinkled Los Angeles Sharks, 5-3. The first game drew 8,545 fans — it was up against the Monday night Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins football game—and the second game drew 9.119. The games were played in Cobo Arena, the city-owned facility that seats less than 11.000 for hockey. And the empty seats…
Made possible with the support of
